Just The Cook
Donation protected
We Need your help to get "Just the Cook" back On The Hook!!!
On August 10th at 0600 I was notified that Just The Cook, our floating restaurant was sinking in her slip at the St. Andrews Marina. While she did not sink I can tell you that my heart did. The pictures tore me up. I was in Memphis for the funeral of Sean Bolton. The Memphis Police Officer who was shot and killed. Sean was a member of my unit in Iraq. Being in Memphis while my boat was in distress in Florida left me feeling very helpless.
The water entering the boat seemed uncontrollable, three pontoons were taking on water at the same time and the built in pumps failed. It would take over 18 hours, cranes, airbags, 55 gallon drums and quick thinking by close friends and my son to get the boat where she could be towed and they almost lost her while underway.
Currently she will need all five pontoons removed, replaced with fiberglass pontoons or foam, bottom coated and reattached to the boat. This is very expensive and time consuming. Each day at the Boatyard costs money, not to mention we still have to pay slip rent. We may even have to look for a new Just The Cook boat.
I have devoted 4 years of my life to Just The Cook and I have spent a lot of time away from my family. Because I know that this is what I was meant to do and that it will help us in the long run, please help. If you can not help please share this link so that others may hear our story. Thank You!
Just The Cook started in 2012 and by the end of the next year Ernie was handpicked by the Food Network as one of the Top 16 Cooks in America. Shortly after that, Just The Cook was featured on The Cooking Channel's newest show Trending Bites! Just this past June Just The Cook was selected by The Culture Trip as One of the Top Ten Restaurants in Panama City !
Ernie is the owner of Just The Cook, he is also a Prior Service Marine who served in Iraq, an Actor , a Singer , he acted in Before The Morning, and as a Pitchman in Tn, is married to a very supportive and understanding wife and is a father of three.
Just The Cook actually started at my home in Tennessee and evolved into a very popular Food Boat at the St. Andrews Marina. I started the boat because I really just wanted people to taste my ideas as they related to food and my flavor combinations. For the first two years I actually slept on the boat, (don't tell anyone) year around! I froze my butt off in the winter and woke up very early in the summer because of the florida sun beating through the windows. I remember leaving Memphis one night knowing that once I got to the boat I would only have $55 to open the boat with. Somehow I always made it work and none of the hard times really matter because I am doing what I love. Seeing the recent pictures that others have taken of my boat in distress tears at my stomach, but I know we can save her. I love serving great food and I love seeing people enjoy the thoughtful food and great atmosphere that we create!
There's more than one Ernie involved in Just The Cook! My son recently left the Marine Corps and I snagged him as soon as I could! His food knowledge and many travels has added a new dimension to Just The Cook and you can find his influence in the menu as well as peoples hearts.
On August 10th at 0600 I was notified that Just The Cook, our floating restaurant was sinking in her slip at the St. Andrews Marina. While she did not sink I can tell you that my heart did. The pictures tore me up. I was in Memphis for the funeral of Sean Bolton. The Memphis Police Officer who was shot and killed. Sean was a member of my unit in Iraq. Being in Memphis while my boat was in distress in Florida left me feeling very helpless.
The water entering the boat seemed uncontrollable, three pontoons were taking on water at the same time and the built in pumps failed. It would take over 18 hours, cranes, airbags, 55 gallon drums and quick thinking by close friends and my son to get the boat where she could be towed and they almost lost her while underway.
Currently she will need all five pontoons removed, replaced with fiberglass pontoons or foam, bottom coated and reattached to the boat. This is very expensive and time consuming. Each day at the Boatyard costs money, not to mention we still have to pay slip rent. We may even have to look for a new Just The Cook boat.
I have devoted 4 years of my life to Just The Cook and I have spent a lot of time away from my family. Because I know that this is what I was meant to do and that it will help us in the long run, please help. If you can not help please share this link so that others may hear our story. Thank You!
Just The Cook started in 2012 and by the end of the next year Ernie was handpicked by the Food Network as one of the Top 16 Cooks in America. Shortly after that, Just The Cook was featured on The Cooking Channel's newest show Trending Bites! Just this past June Just The Cook was selected by The Culture Trip as One of the Top Ten Restaurants in Panama City !
Ernie is the owner of Just The Cook, he is also a Prior Service Marine who served in Iraq, an Actor , a Singer , he acted in Before The Morning, and as a Pitchman in Tn, is married to a very supportive and understanding wife and is a father of three.
Just The Cook actually started at my home in Tennessee and evolved into a very popular Food Boat at the St. Andrews Marina. I started the boat because I really just wanted people to taste my ideas as they related to food and my flavor combinations. For the first two years I actually slept on the boat, (don't tell anyone) year around! I froze my butt off in the winter and woke up very early in the summer because of the florida sun beating through the windows. I remember leaving Memphis one night knowing that once I got to the boat I would only have $55 to open the boat with. Somehow I always made it work and none of the hard times really matter because I am doing what I love. Seeing the recent pictures that others have taken of my boat in distress tears at my stomach, but I know we can save her. I love serving great food and I love seeing people enjoy the thoughtful food and great atmosphere that we create!
There's more than one Ernie involved in Just The Cook! My son recently left the Marine Corps and I snagged him as soon as I could! His food knowledge and many travels has added a new dimension to Just The Cook and you can find his influence in the menu as well as peoples hearts.
Organizer
Ernie Hall
Organizer
Panama City, FL
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